elaborating on

USAGE SUMMARY

"elaborating on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you are providing more thorough, detailed information about a topic. For example, "The professor spent the next hour elaborating on the complex theories of quantum mechanics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After exchanging ideas and elaborating on one another's experiments, they successfully developed a procedure for DNA transformation in nematodes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The 1958 paper and one three years later elaborating on the theory raised enormous debate.

The New York Times

The company's representatives are not elaborating on the prospectus.

The New York Times

He said "fine" without elaborating on his testimony.

The New York Times - Sports

Elaborating on that point, the former oil-company C.E.O.

The New Yorker

Propositions are offered after elaborating on each type of partnership.

Journal of International Management

Mann falls short, however, in elaborating on how the Obamians related Iraq's lessons to Afghanistan.

The New York Times - Books

He goes on from this point elaborating on the Out Trend at some length.

The New Yorker

Elaborating on ideas he had developed at Car and Driver, Mr. Davis came up with Automobile.

The New York Times

Prior to elaborating on the detailed proposal, this article will address several issues.

Columbia University

Nesbø later sent me an e-mail elaborating on his remarks.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elaborating on" to smoothly introduce additional information or clarification on a previously mentioned topic. It helps create a logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "elaborating on" multiple times in a single paragraph. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "expanding upon" or "detailing" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elaborating on" is to act as a prepositional verb phrase, linking a subject or action to a more detailed explanation or expansion of that subject. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

27%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elaborating on" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce further details about a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It functions primarily as a prepositional verb phrase, serving the purpose of providing additional context and explanations. While suitable for various registers, it is most frequently found in news, science, and academic writing. When using "elaborating on", ensure variety by incorporating synonyms like "expanding upon" to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expanding upon

Uses a different verb while retaining the meaning of adding detail.

Going into more detail about

More verbose, emphasizing the increased level of detail.

Providing further explanation of

Focuses on the explanatory aspect of adding information.

Adding more information on

Highlights the action of including additional information.

Expounding on

More formal and literary, suggesting a thorough and detailed explanation.

Developing further

Emphasizes the progression and growth of the topic.

Amplifying

Implies making something louder or clearer through added detail.

Detailing

Shortened form of providing details.

Illustrating further

Focuses on making something clear through examples and details.

Clarifying further

Highlights the act of making something easier to understand with detail.

FAQs

How can I use "elaborating on" in a sentence?

You can use "elaborating on" to introduce further details about a topic. For example, "The speaker started by introducing the main topic and then spent the rest of the session "elaborating on" its various aspects".

What are some alternatives to "elaborating on"?

Some alternatives to "elaborating on" include "expanding upon", "going into more detail about", or "providing further explanation of", depending on the specific context.

Is "elaborating on" formal or informal?

"Elaborating on" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the piece. However, in a very formal context, "expounding on" might be preferrable.

What's the difference between "elaborating on" and "focusing on"?

"Elaborating on" means providing more detail and expanding on a topic, whereas "focusing on" means concentrating specifically on one aspect of a topic. The former adds breadth, while the latter adds depth to a specific area.